My name is Matthew Bredel and as of March, 2007, I am a full-time, work-at-home internet marketer.
For close to 10 years, I worked for a defense company which was an OK job, but I was so uninspired in life and frankly, I needed some more money. That is when I first discovered internet marketing! Now I admit that I didn't start making thousands in my first couple of months (in fact, I lost my shirt!), but I finally saw the "internet light"...
It’s been one of “those” years. But Thanksgiving is not coming a moment too soon. We sometimes need to sit back and reflect on what is going on that RIGHT, and be thankful for it. Here is just some of the people and things in my life that I am thankful for…
Is 2009 finished yet???
Boy, this year won’t seem to end. As an American watching the economy collapse, unemployment rise, health care costs sky-rocket, and house prices plummet, I sit back wondering what there is to be thankful for…and to be honest, I can think of about 1 million things still!!!
This year has been tough for most of us. Me too. My income is down from 2008. I have rental investments that I can’t get rented and it is costing me a fortune. My current house has dropped in value by about 40%. Since I turned 35 this year, my health insurance rates increased by 120%. And since September, I have suffered through swine flu, normal flu, a broken clavicle bone, 2 colds, bad lower back, and a severe ankle sprain. Oh, don’t forget that Google banned TheWebReviewer from Adwords for life.
But you know what? It really doesn’t matter. I started to realize this just recently, too.
I am first SO THANKFUL for my family (wife and kids), their support, their energy and their health (well, at least vital health…these flus and colds and ear infections are just part of having 3 kids under 5 years old all going to school).
I am SO THANKFUL for my “job”, if that is what you want to call it. I really do love internet marketing and designing websites and meeting the people in my industry. Sure, I might not be making as much this year, but it is just a cycle and I am THANKFUL that I can still make enough to support my family and my home-at-home lifestyle (though, our weekly “date night”, subscription to premium TV channels and season passes to SeaWorld & the Zoo are no longer in the budget…we kept the Disneyland passes!)
I am SO THANKFUL for my internet marketing friends and partners:
Dr. Mike Mastermind Group - Dr. Mike Woo Ming, Carol Ann/James Wiley, Gary Gil (Podclass), Paul Harris, Amy Hall, (Coach) Deb Micek, Erica(.biz) Douglass, and the rest of Mike’s admin and staff. All great people who have helped my business and all who have become good friends!
The San Diego Internet Marketing Meet-Up - Kevin and David (also a good friend and partner) who run the show. Some of the regulars like (Social) Rob, Trace, Sterling, Phelan and (Evil) Charles. Nothing beats sitting back on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch at Leucadia.
Sterling Business Group - They are a local company I started working with well over a year ago. Smart people who have helped me learn and grow a lot (and also have put a lot of faith in me, too - Thanks John!).
Vianet / Triad Media - These guys have stuck with me for years and have not only supported my efforts, but have always embraced my ideas - Big shoud-out and thanks to Shane, Margie and Kyle.
My Internet Posse - Ryan Moran, Chris Malta, Colette Marshall, Colleen Darwent, Gil Ortega, Lisa Suttora, Jeremy Hanks, Lynn Terry, Justin Brooke, Joe Jablowski, Scott Kublin, Jamie Birch, Cresta Pillsbury, Adam Riemer, Brian Owens, Matt Davis, Travis Sago, Jon Walker, Harris Fellman, Hollis Carter, Barbara Feldman, Linda Goodman, Dana Prince, Jessica Salas, and so many more…
(this is what first came to mind…and Twitter kind of helped me brainstorm…you all know who you are if I missed ya…)
And, of course, I wouldn’t be here today without my loyal clients, members, followers, and visitors! BIG THANK YOU! (I was going to list some of the people here, too, but there are just too many!)
With everything going on in our lives these day, I know it can sometimes be tough to find a silver lining. I have found Thanksgiving to come at the perfect time this year. I really do need to reflect more on the good. I am a big believer in positive thinking, the law of attraction and God. And sometimes we lose our focus and dwell on everything that is going wrong.
I know this Thanksgiving I will be focusing on the Good that happened over the past year and the excitement of what’s to come for 2010. (Hoping to see the Raiders get their butt-kicked on Thanksgiving Day is just an added bonus!)
And if you would, please leave me a comment below and tell me what you are most thankful for this year. I know it will make me feel better, too.
(Good thoughts are probably the most viral thing you can spread - and I wouldn’t mind catching that!)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
cheers…matt
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Wow, what a year, Matt! Great that you’re one of those people that looks at the glass as half full because when you do, they really do continue to fill.
I had my Thanksgiving here in Canada last month but I’m thankful for another chance to remember that I have SO much to be thankful for. I’m very thankful for my family and for the Internet. I’m thrilled that I can make money from thin air online and that I’ve met so many wonderful friends and mentors who share their knowledge so willingly with others.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
November 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Next to Hollis, eh?
He’s a good guy. His name sounds like mine. That must be why.
Harris
November 25th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
(Just be THANKFUL that I didn’t accidentally write “Hollis Fellman”)
- Wonder who that would offend more?
November 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I agree, there are a million reasons to be thankful. It’s easy to get caught in the “woe is me” trap of self-pity. But if you will simply turn your eyes outward you will see a marvelous world. No matter our circumstances God is waiting there with a path leading us out of the troubles. Matt, you are one of God’s “rays of sunshine”. Keep on being positive and offering people encouragement Matt. Thanks!
November 26th, 2009 at 4:01 am
Your E-Mail came at a good time Matt, I have been unemployed for over a year now. I have a little bit of work here and there as a self employed consutant in the airline flight training business. The airline I flew for went bankrupt in April 2008. With the global recession, not a lot of prospects. But, I choose to stay positive, focused, and with an attitude of gratitude.
You say…”I am a big believer in positive thinking, the law of attraction and God.” I could not agree more. You bring what you think or you can certainly attract or influence what you think. Having faith in God and country no matter what the troubles are is the positive way to handle issues.
I handle things by still keeping actively busy, exercise, practicing tai chi and qi gong to stay centered in the universe. This year I also got banned from Google Adsense, I have no idea why, and lost the appeal. You can’t fight the 800 pound gorilla.
I am trying to ramp up the “home job”, so this brings me back to your course. Just wanted you to know you are not alone with your “less than stellar year”. But I love your attitude in dealing with it.
Happy Thanksgiving Matt and Happy Holidays as we enter the holiday season.
November 26th, 2009 at 5:52 am
I’m with you on the thanksgiving game. Anyway I’m thankful for my family and all my good friends. I think positive thoughts out into the universe brings back good things ten fold
November 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I find solace and comfort in knowing that there are so many people out there who are not locked in a me-myself-and-I mode of thinking.
Millions of people are actively involved in millions of endeavours to enhance the common good and ensure that our local, regional, national and global communities continue to care about the long-term consequences (positive and negative) of our actions on future generations.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:37 am
Thanksgiving is officially over but it still is Thanksgiving weekend; so I felt I could still respond to your email and post.
I do agree about the trials and tribs of 2009. This year has been particularly hard on us and we are therefore looking forward with great anticipation that 2010 will treat us kinder.
As I was feeling particularly homesick for some of my family whom I didn’t get to see during recent visit to Nebraska; I also decided to work on creating my own Giving Thanks list. Just the act of creating the list helped chase away the holiday blues and bring back the purple.
Thankful for family and friends (including Dr. Mike’s Mastermind Group as well) always tops my list.
Thankful for winter in San Diego as opposed to the one in Nebraska - and hey—-I RAINED yesterday.
Thankful for mostly good health, hopeful that the American people can be thankful for a system of good health care reform by next year.
(My Momma always told me that my good health was the most important asset to have. Funny how Mommas often end up being right.)
Thankful for our forsight to buy a Honda since we are now driving it
longer than we thought we would.
Thankful that as I age I become more and more enthusiastic about a simpler lifestyle without the need for “stuff”. If we don’t count a good computer system in that need.
Thankful that my laptop was able to be “repaired” rather than having to buy a new one currently.
Hoping that as today ends that I can be thankful for a Charger’s win over Kansas City.
Suffice it to say, there are still things on my list for which I am thankful and grateful; but I will spare you and your readers from having to read them.
But one last thankful—-thankful for the Internet Marketing Mind—- a TruGuru in a world of so many false ones who has helped us a lot.
May 2010 treat us all more kindly!
November 29th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Matt,
Thanks for the shout out. I’m definitely happy to have been able to meet you as well and gotten to bounce ideas off of each other and gotten to meet part of your circle. You are a great person and very talented Marketer so even though the economy is down, there is always hope for people with talent.
Adam
December 1st, 2009 at 6:06 am
Matt,
Terrific post, and things we should all remember in tough times! I, too, am very thankful for being able to make my homebased editing biz work. I am so grateful for the time it gives me to be able to spend with my family, and to be able to meet new friends, like you!
Glad you were able to keep your Disneyland passes. We have them, too. Maybe, we’ll see you around there!
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hi Matt,
I’m honored I made it on your “Internet Posse” list.
Here’s to a kick-butt 2010!
Scott
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm